STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Farrah · Marc Jacobs

Where do you want to be in 5 years?

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

"I am going to grad school currently to further my education. In 5 years I hope to be able to offer the company I am working for my increased skill set that I will be learning from my graduate program"

Something to that regard that shows you are hardworking and would like to bring your education to benefit whoever you are working for.

Farrah · Marc Jacobs

AllieGurl wrote:

"I am going to grad school currently to further my education. In 5 years I hope to be able to offer the company I am working for my increased skill set that I will be learning from my graduate program"

Something to that regard that shows you are hardworking and would like to bring your education to benefit whoever you are working for.

Problem is that grad school is a major career change and I am not there yet. I am starting in the spring. Furthermore, I don't want them asking me what I am going to go to school for because it has nothing to do with business whatsoever.

Kitty · Hermes

Just tell them what they want to hear. I usually tailor my bull shit response to that question based on the job I'm applying for. For example, if it's a marketing job I say, "Oh, I hope to be managing x and x in five years..blah blah" - even if that's not at all what I want to do.

carmenb513 · Coach

Kitty wrote:

Just tell them what they want to hear. I usually tailor my bull shit response to that question based on the job I'm applying for. For example, if it's a marketing job I say, "Oh, I hope to be managing x and x in five years..blah blah" - even if that's not at all what I want to do.

yep...........thats exactly what I do!

-- Edited by carmenb513 at 22:07, 2006-11-06

HeatherLynn · Gucci

I interview potential employees a few times a week and I always ask this question. The reason is not because I am actually interested in where they want to be in 5-10 years, but more or less can they tell a potential customer or boss the correct thing. We use this question to see how they will deal with customers. We are looking for the thing we want to hear, not the truth.

calichic · Dooney & Bourke

Kitty wrote:

Just tell them what they want to hear. I usually tailor my bull shit response to that question based on the job I'm applying for. For example, if it's a marketing job I say, "Oh, I hope to be managing x and x in five years..blah blah" - even if that's not at all what I want to do.

Suasoria · Chanel

In my industry, which is PR, it's completely normal for people to make a move after 3-5 years, at least at the agency level. I do a lot of interviewing and while I have better questions to ask than that one, I have been known to tell people that I expect them to stay at least three years before they start looking, just for the sake of their own resume.

Furthermore, I don't want them asking me what I am going to go to school for because it has nothing to do with business whatsoever.

'What are you in school for?' would definitely be a question I would ask. Perhaps it's best not to even bring it up.

HeatherLynn has a great insight, and for me, 'I'm not sure yet' would be a completely acceptable answer. I don't want bootlickers surrounding me and neither do our clients. I like to think I can spot a fake, and that includes someone who's just telling me what they think I want to hear.

I'd be happier with someone saying "assuming I still look good in a bikini, in five years I hope to be living on the beach in Belize, having sold off all my liquid assets and enjoying early retirement to its fullest." At least it shows ambition!